HEALTH facilities across Stockport are expected to undergo a dramatic change over the next two years as part of a £60 million redevelopment - if planning permission is approved by Stockport Council.

HEALTH facilities across Stockport are expected to undergo a dramatic change over the next two years as part of a £60 million redevelopment - if planning permission is approved by Stockport Council.

At last week's meeting of the Stockport People's Panel, Primary Care Trust (PCT) representatives unveiled their latest plans for new 'one-stop centres' across the town.

The biggest redevelopment within the first phase, totalling £22m, is St Thomas' Hospital.

At present, the crumbling building remains largely empty as it fails to meet health and safety standards.

According to the plans, part of the Shaw Heath hospital will be demolished and transformed into a new Primary Care Resource Centre - housing a multitude of diagnostic and treatment facilities under one state-of-the-art roof.

The remainder of the hospital, which is a grade-two listed building, has been bought by Stockport College and aspects of the facade, such as the clock tower, will be restored to their former glory.

Other improvements will be made to health centres in districts of the borough - the first areas listed for changes are Woodley, Romiley and Heald Green.

These new centres will offer efficient and modern premises for GPs, district nurses and specialist services, with the majority of the one-stop centres also include a pharmacy - offering a complete service for patients.

If planning permission is granted by Stockport Council, the developments are expected to start in spring 2006, taking around 12-18 months to complete.

Another two phases will follow this development, upgrading other areas of the borough including Offerton, Hazel Grove, Brinnington, Marple, Reddish, Cheadle and Cheadle Hulme.

A decision for the planning applications is expected early in the new year.